A Navy explosive ordnance disposal technician conducts a free-fall parachute operation during a training exercise in Suffolk, Va., April 4, 2024. Credit: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jackson Adkins
2024 in review: Policy
Preparing in the Pacific, learning from Ukraine, girding for a new administration—here are some of the policy stories that shaped the past year.
How Trump may shake up DOD: an insider’s view
An interview with Christopher Miller, the acting SecDef-turned-Project 2025 co-author.
Patrick Tucker, Science & Technology Editor
How China is adopting battlefield lessons from Ukraine
A drone-assisted ambush of a Ukrainian tank drew particular notice by PLA analysts.
Tye Graham and Peter W. Singer
Europe is already planning for what happens if Ukraine loses. It’s ugly
A newly energized Russia is already escalating grey-zone operations in Eastern Europe, says Estonia’s defense minister.
Patrick Tucker, Science & Technology Editor
How Russia, China envision nuking US satellites: from above and below
As the Pentagon builds huge constellations to shrug off conventional ASAT weapons, potential adversaries are taking things to a terrifying new level.
David D. Chen and Peter W. Singer
‘Extraordinarily dangerous’: Intelligence community insiders warn against Trump’s DNI pick
Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has a “history of irresponsibly promoting misinformation,” said one official.
Patrick Tucker, Science & Technology Editor
Musk's government roles create 'clear avenues for serious conflicts of interest'
The SpaceX CEO, who leads a company with more than $10 billion in government contracts, is also the face of a new body aimed at getting rid of government.
Mike Gruss
What will happen to the Air Force’s next-gen fighter jet?
The service may be waffling on NGAD because it’s dealing with a “truly miserable choice,” one analyst said.
Audrey Decker, Staff Writer
Army wants to buy as many drones as it does munitions
The Army could theoretically acquire thousands—if not hundreds of thousands—of drones.
Sam Skove, Staff Writer
China is turning to private firms for offensive cyber operations
Leaked documents reveal prices, clients, targets, and more.
Matt Brazil and Peter W. Singer
How the U.S. used arms sales to shift Saudi behavior
Weapons exports are a fickle tool. Why did they work this time?
Elizabeth Dent and Grant Rumley
Trump’s climate skepticism could hurt military operations
Proposals to “dismantle” NOAA and roll back energy efforts pose “a huge risk,” said one expert.
Patrick Tucker, Science & Technology Editor
Should the Navy lean on private repair shipyards to build subs faster?
Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Virginia, thinks so.
Lauren C. Williams, Senior Editor